Entry Word: trust
Function: noun
Text: 1 firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness, or genuineness of someone or something <a relationship of mutual trust between lawyer and client> Synonyms confidence, credence, faith, stock Related Words acceptance, assurance, assuredness, certainty, certitude, conviction, positiveness, sureness; credit, dependence, hope, reliance Near Antonyms disbelief, incredulity, unbelief; doubt, dubiousness, incertitude, nonconfidence, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty Antonyms distrust, mistrust2 a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage <government lawyers argued against allowing the telephone companies to merge, arguing that such a merger would result in a trust that would stifle competition> -- see CARTEL3 responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something <left her cat in the trust of her neighbors while she was on vacation> -- see CUSTODY4 the right to take possession of goods before paying for them <as his inner-city customers are often short on money, the neighborhood grocer has to frequently sell on trust> -- see CREDIT 1